Craft Beer Release News – 4/3/14

Founders KBS released in New Jersey this week. For those of you not in the know, Founders Kentucky Bourbon Stout is arguably the best or second best stout available for sale right now – just check out its BeerAdvocate.com score. This stout is brewed with a hint of coffee and vanilla then aged in oak bourbon barrels for over a year.

KBS released on April 1 in many North Jersey locations and will continue to be distributed in various stores across the state until about Monday, April 7. I spotted some bottles for sale at the Canal’s in Bellmawr today for $9 per 12 oz. bottle with a one bottle limit.

If you’re wondering if this beer is worth the elevated price tag, you need to ask yourself a few questions:

• Do you love craft beer and want to try the best the craft beer scene has to offer?
• Do you love smooth, dark beers that are high in alcohol content (11.2% ABV), full of flavor, and made for sipping?
• Do you love rare beer releases that are hard to find?
• Do you like the taste of beer with a little bourbon heat, some sweetness, and strong notes of coffee, vanilla, and chocolate?
• Do you know someone in your life who might appreciate these qualities?

I had the pleasure of having Founders KBS last month at Extreme Beer Fest in Boston, MA, and I personally think this is one of the finest examples of a bourbon barrel aged beer – flavorful and powerful, but with a well-balanced incorporated use of bourbon that complements rather than overpowers the barrel aged stout qualities.

Be on the look out for this beer over the next month, because if you can’t score a bottle at your local bottle shop, you may still find it available on tap in select locations. Then again, if you DO manage to find bottles for sale, I recommend you pick it up. I’m ecstatic to have gotten mine, and plan to turn it into a truly memorable Father’s Day present. Of course, you’re welcome to just buy yours and drink it all on your own. Whatever you do, I promise your secret’s safe with me.

– Abe Tran, NJIB Craft Beer Corner